State

Restoration of Article 370, statehood ‘collective’ demand of people of J&K: GA Mir

Pins hope on SC, say verdict will be in favor of people

Faizan Wani

Srinagar, Jan 29: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President and former Minister, Ghulam Ahmad Mir Friday asserted that restoration of Article 370 was the ‘collective’ demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mir according to news agency—KNO claimed that Supreme Court of India has also upheld the constitutional ‘legitimacy’ of Articles 370 and 35A which he said was ‘annulled’ through a ‘unilateral’ decision by BJP government on 5th of August 2019.

“Restoration of Article 370 is a collective demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. So far as statehood is concerned, every individual wants statehood to be restored at earliest,” PCC president told the media on the sidelines of an event organized by Youth Congress at the party head office here.

He also appealed to people to repose their faith on the Supreme Court of India and wait for its verdict which he hoped will be in the favor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mir said people in some parts of the erstwhile state were unaware of the implications of abrogation of Article 370, however their perception changed the moment it was repealed.

Mir said since various political parties of Jammu and Kashmir have challenged centers decision in the apex court, there is no need to jump to conclusion unless the top judiciary announces its verdict.

“We should repose our faith on apex court which has in past upheld constitutional legitimacy of Article 370. Various political parties also challenged centers decision in the Supreme Court given its stand on the issue, hence we should wait as the case has been listed for hearing in March,” added PCC chief.

He also claimed that it was the Supreme Court which said that Article 370 is the strongest bridge connecting Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India.

Mir also criticized the center for bringing farmers on roads as new agricultural laws have adversely affected millions of small farmers across India.

He asked the center to repeal anti-farmer laws or else Congress will launch country wide protest against new agri-laws.

State

‘Militant associate’ arrested in Kupwara; 10 grenades, 182 bullets recovered

(Asian News Hub) – Army and police have recovered ten grenades and 182 rounds of Ak-47 rifle from a militant associate who was arrested in Kralpora area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, official sources said on Tuesday.

They said army 160 Territorial Army and SOG Kralpora arrested the “militant associate” Abdul Ahad Lone based on specific information. “10 grenades and 182 Ak-47 rounds” have been recovered from his possession.They said middle-aged man was associated with Al-Badr formerly.

A police officer confirmed the arrest and said that further investigations are underway.

GNS

State

Three unidentified militants killed in Anantnag

(Asian News Hub) – Three unidentified militants have been killed in an encounter that raged between government forces and militants in Vailoo area of Kokernag belt in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday.

A senior police officer told that three unidentified militants have been killed whose identification is being ascertained while as operation is on in the area.

He said the militants turned down repeated surrender offers given to them by government forces.

Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 19 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

Pertinently, 46 militants have been killed in J&K so far this year and most of them belong to Shopian district.

KNO

State

Militant killed in an ongoing encounter at Anantnag

(Asian News Hub) – One militant has been killed in an ongoing encounter that raged between government forces and militants in Vailoo area of Kokernag belt in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday.

A senior police officer told that one militant has been killed whose identification is being ascertained while as operation is on in the area.

Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 19 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

Pertinently, 44 militants have been killed in J&K so far this year and most of them belong to Shopian district.

KNO